By Mercy Peter
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving Nigeria’s business environment by strengthening infrastructure and reducing unnecessary barriers to trade, investment and industrial development.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, gave the assurance on Tuesday at the opening of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF), where she called on businesses to focus on competitiveness, market expansion and job creation.
Oduwole said the government recognised the importance of creating an environment in which enterprises could thrive, attract investment, expand operations and compete effectively in domestic and international markets.
She congratulated the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) for sustaining the annual trade fair, describing platforms that connect businesses, investors, government and consumers as important to economic development.
The 12-day exhibition, themed “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” is scheduled to run from September 25 to October 6, 2026.
According to the minister, resilience should not be understood merely as the ability of businesses to endure economic difficulties but as their capacity to adapt to changing conditions, compete effectively, invest in growth and explore new markets.
“For businesses, resilience means having the capacity to compete, adapt, invest, expand into new markets and create jobs even as the operating environment changes,” she said.
Oduwole stressed that the benefits of the trade fair should extend beyond product exhibitions and networking, noting that its real impact would be reflected in the commercial opportunities generated after the event.
She said the success of the exhibition should ultimately be measured by the partnerships formed, contracts signed, investments unlocked, markets opened and jobs created through the engagements.
The minister said the government was working to strengthen infrastructure and remove unnecessary obstacles affecting trade, investment and industrial development.
She added that creating an enabling business environment required collaboration among public institutions, private-sector organisations, investors and entrepreneurs to identify opportunities and address challenges affecting enterprise growth.
Oduwole also highlighted the importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the government’s economic agenda, noting that smaller businesses required improved access to finance, technology, standards, information and markets to expand their operations.
She said addressing these needs would help businesses improve productivity, develop competitive products and take advantage of opportunities in the domestic and international markets.
The minister further urged Nigerian enterprises to position themselves to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing the need to improve competitiveness, meet applicable standards and develop the capacity to move goods and services efficiently across borders.
According to her, access to wider African markets presents opportunities for businesses to expand beyond Nigeria, but enterprises must be adequately prepared to compete with other producers across the continent.
Oduwole described the Abuja International Trade Fair as an important platform for facilitating interactions between government officials, manufacturers, investors, entrepreneurs and consumers.
She said such engagements could help businesses identify potential partners, understand market opportunities and establish relationships that support investment and commercial expansion.
The minister also invited businesses, investors and creative-sector stakeholders to participate in the forthcoming CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.
She said the event would provide opportunities for stakeholders to explore investment, trade, financing and market access, particularly within the creative economy.
Oduwole reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting a business environment that enables enterprises to adapt to economic changes, expand their operations and create employment.
She urged participants at the trade fair to take advantage of the exhibition to build lasting commercial relationships and identify opportunities capable of translating into investments and economic activity.
